FSN Southwest keeps Mavericks

FSN Southwest signed a
multiyear extension to keep the rights
to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

The RSN confirmed the extension but would not comment further.
The deal is thought to be for at least seven years, according to sources
familiar with the talks.

Recent NBA rights deals saw Comcast pay $12 million to $13
million a year for the Trail Blazers in Portland and FSN pay $25 million a year
for the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Those prices were driven up by competition both in the
Cleveland market, where SportsTime Ohio has been operating for more than one
year, and Portland, where Comcast plans to launch an RSN before next season.

The Mavs deal, which takes effect for the coming season, will
see FSN Southwest broadcast 42 games, the same number as the year before. The
Fox-owned RSN has held the rights to Mavericks games since 1983.

FSN Southwest controls the majority of ad sales inventory in
the Mavericks’ telecasts.

Dallas’ CBS affiliate aired 30 games last year, and is
expected to cut a deal giving it the same number this year. The remaining 10 games are available on national
outlets or not televised.